Luis Suarez: Pichichi worthless without La Liga title

The Uruguay international's brace last week against Espanyol took him to 37 Liga goals this campaign, four in front of Cristiano Ronaldo in the Pichichirace, and his assist keeps him tied with Lionel Messi at the top of the league.

But the 29-year-old said the club are only focused on the league title.

"If we aren't champions, then winning the Pichichi is worth nothing," Suarez said during Thursdays' news conference. "Our main goal is to keep a clean sheet. After that, we know that we can make the difference, that is how our last four matches have gone. We are aware that [during the dip in form] we didn't have the aim and the clarity to win the league crown. But we have improved in both our attack and our defence. We have to be strong mentally."

That Suarez is leading La Liga scoring on a team that includes prolific scorer Messi only plays up the fact that Barcelona work as a team, the striker said.

"Forwards exist to help the team win," Suarez said. "I think Leo is proud to help the club. But he would be happier to win La Liga than to be the topscorer."

The Blaugrana are on the verge of pulling off a double with a Primera Division title and the Copa del Rey crown, but are also aware that they were in a similar situation in 2014 and lost out on the league title after a 1-0 loss to Granada.

"We can win the two titles or lose them. We are the best team in the world, and we know the pressure that comes with it, but we depend on ourselves," he said. "At Liverpool I won the Golden Shoe but we didn't win the league."

Nor did Suarez give any credence to widespread rumours that have resurged this week about alleged betting and match-fixing in La Liga. Spanish media have claimed that Granada's players could be offered incentives -- described in Spanish as briefcases, or maletines -- by Real Madrid to play to the role of spoiler to Barcelona and help Real Madrid steal the title.

"I don't believe in any of that. I believe that Granada are a proud team and they will want to play to win," Suarez said. "Our goal is to win La Liga.

"Pride is the wager here," Suarez said. "Each team are aware of what they need to do and their own actions. Every player's source of pride is to give his life for the shirt he defends. They want a victory for their fans and we want La Liga. It's impossible that any club wants it more than we do."